CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save the world famous Coventry Bees speedway team have questioned how security has been handled at the club’s former home.
This summer, travellers have broke into the stadium’s site on two occasions – in early June and early September.
Reacting to the break ins, Rugby Borough Council have warned Brandon Estates – stadium owners – regarding unauthorised access to the site following growing concern from residents regarding the security of the site.
The break ins prompted Rugby Borough Council to issue a formal warning to Brandon Estates by securing a letter outside the stadium’s main gate.
The letter highlighted that an accumulation of waste and lack of security is having a ‘detrimental effect’ on residents living in the area.
Brandon Estates were issued a warning under section 43 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014 and were asked to remove all waste and secure the sight.
Failure to comply with the Council’s request could result in Brandon Estates receiving a Community Protection Notice.
Save Coventry Speedway campaign leader Jeff Davies said: “In the period since Brandon Estates took over the stadium, travellers have visited the site on three separate occasions and on the most recent of those visits, the stadium was vandalised, with windows being smashed and doors ripped off their hinges.
“I would like to ask why Brandon Estates removed the 24 hour on site security presence that had been in place under the previous owner?
“And why, after the first incursion of travellers, was security not improved?
“It has taken desperate measures to secure the site being taken by local residents and a notice being served on the owners by Rugby Council before the owners have done anything.
“And having seen the measures taken by them, in my opinion, they are completely inadequate and could be breached in just a few minutes.
“Finally, the stadium may not be viable if it was used solely for speedway but with stock car racing too, it was, and still would be viable. We have to ask why Brandon Estates only ever offered a lease to run speedway?”
